Cotton and cellulosic fiber vaginal tampon



Dec. 26, 1967 J. HOCHSTRASSER 3,359,981

COTTON AND CELLULOSIC FIBER VAGINA L TAMPON Filed Jan. 19, 1965 w Inventor.- JOSEF HOCHSTRASSER fl y, ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent Ofifice 3,359,981 Patented Dec. 26, 196 7 3,359,981 COTTON AND CELLULOSIC FIBER VAGINAL TAMPON Josef Hochstrasser, Dusseldorf, Germany, assignor to Carl Hahn KG., a corporation of Germany Filed Jan. 19, 1965, Ser. No. 426,695 Claims priority, application Germany, Jan. 22, 1964,

7 Claims. 12s-2ss ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to tampons in general, such as are used in feminine hygiene, and more particularly to a roll tampon.

The tampon according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is made from a rectangular strip of absorbent material comprising a base layer of cotton batting and one or more layers of cellulose fibers. To provide a finished roll tampon having a withdrawal end at which the cellulose fibers are completely covered by cotton batting, and an insertion end with a core of exposed cellulose fibers, the rectangular strip is first folded successively upon itself transversely with respect to the direction of rolling to form an intermediate flattened rectangular strip having a plurality of convoluted layers with the cotton batting on the exterior. A drawstring is then looped around the intermediate strip and knotted to provide means for withdrawing the tampon from the user. The intermediate strip is then folded lengthwise at a position of about onetliird of its length, with the drawstring loop being positioned within the folding crease and extended in the direction of the withdrawal end. The folded, intermediate strip is then rolled so as to form an approximately cylindrical semi-finished tampon with the folding crease being its approximate longitudinal axis. To increase its density so as to provide a finished tampon of predetermined firmness and absorption properties, the semi-finished tampon is subjected to radially inward compression.

It has been found that by placing two or more loosely superposed layers of cellulose over the bottom layer of cotton batting and, if desired, on additional layers of cotton batting, a further improvement can be achieved in the absorption rate of the tampon and in its ability to expand with the absorption of menstrual fluid, and thus provide a better seal against the vagina of the user, with greater assurance against leakage.

Furthermore, the arrangement of a plurality of cellulose layers permits the firmness of the tampon to be selectively varied according to the amount of cellulose used in the inner and outer layers of the tampon, even though the same materials and pressures are used in its manufacture. Thus, the tampon and method of manufacture according to the instant invention facilitates compliance with the various desires of users with regard to firmness.

Since the face of the withdrawal end of the tampon according to the invention corresponds to the rolled, folding crease in which the cotton batting is on the exterior, a rolled pocket of cotton batting is formed within the tampon thereby providing improved fluid retaining capability.

As a result of the particular folding of the original rectangular strip in forming the intermediate strip, the introduction end of the tampon is rounded and covered with cotton batting at its outer margin, thus substantially preventing cotton, or cellulose fluff from fraying off when the tampon is inserted into the user.

Furthermore, by constructing the tampon so that its introduction end is open, the menstrual fluid of the user is able to reach the highly absorbent cellulose material more easily, because of the many rapidly absorbing strata of cotton located between the cellulose strata.

One distinctive advantage of constructing the tampon of the instant invention from an intermediate strip which is formed by folding the original strip upon itself, rather than from a plurality of individual superposed strips of the same dimensions, lies in the fact that with such a folded intermediate strip, the width between opposite folds can be conveniently made equal to the approximate length of the finished tampon whereas in the case of individually superposed strips, it is necessary that each be cut fairly precisely to a width equal to that of the finished tampon. Otherwise, when the superposed strips are rolled, the resulting tampon will have irregular ends.

The tampon of the instant invention can be further modified advantageously by arranging one or more additional layers of cotton batting and/or cellulose upon the folded in first and/or second layers of the intermediate strip.

It has also been found to be advantageous in the manufacture of the tampon according to the invention, where the intermediate strip comprises three folded absorbent layers, with the bottom layer corresponding to a central section of the original strip, and the second and third upper layers being opposite end sections of the same original strip, folded in over the bottom layer, to fold the original strip so that the layers formed from its end sections are slightly narrower than the width of the center section or bottom layer. By this folding arrangement, the firmness of the tampon can be made suflicient even in the areas of extremities, because the cellulose layers extend far enough to both ends of the tampon, while at the same time the ability of the tampon to absorb menstrual fluid is increased. Furthermore, irregularities in the cotton batting, which cannot be entirely prevented when the cotton is carded and combed, can be equalized out over the entire surface of the folded intermediate strip as a result of making the width of the two folded in side sections approximately equal to the dimensions of the center section.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide '3. rolled tampon having a substantially improved absorption rate as compared with prior art tampons of this type.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tampon as aforesaid having an increased capacity of expansion upon absorption of menstrual fluid.

Other and further objects and advantages of the instant invention will appear in or become evident from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an intermediate strip used in the construction of the tampon aocordingto a pre ferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the intermediate strip of FIG. 1 hown in the folded state preparatory to rolling, for forming the semi-finished tampon of FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a semi-finished tampon according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a finished tampon according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is an end view of an intermediate strip which can be used for making an alternate embodiment of the tampon according to the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the intermediate strip 10 is formed by folding a rectangular strip 11 of absorbent material comprising a bottom, or base layer 1 of cotton bat- 3 ting and a cellulose layer 2 lying thereon. The original strip 11 has a width equal to the length of the intermediate strip 10 as measured in the direction of the arrow X, and a length as measured in the direction of the arrow Y equal to the developed length of the sections A, B, and C. As is apparent from FIG. 1, the intermediate strip 19 is formed by folding the right end section B of the original strip 11 inwardly onto the center section A, and then folding the left end section C of said strip 11 inwardly over section B, so a to provide an intermediate strip 10 having a thiclmess equal to that of three layers of the strip 11. Thus, the intermediate strip 10 is provided with a folded longitudinal edge 3 which is covered by cotton batting, and an opposite longitudinal edge 12 which comprises a lower folded edge 5, also covered on the exterior by cotton batting, (edge 5 is formed by the folding of section B over section A), and an upper edge 13, formed by the end of section C. At the upper edge 13, the cellulose layer 2 as well as the cotton batting layer 1 are exposed.

To facilitate withdrawal of the finished tampon from the user, a drawstring 4 is looped around the intermediate strip 10, prior to its folding as shown by FIG. 2, and said drawstring 4 is knotted as at 14.

The width of the intermediate strip 10, as measured in the direction Y is approximately equal to the length of the finished tampon 7 as shown in FIG. 4. As can be readily seen, the lengths of sections B and C are slightly less than that of section A, as measured in the direction Y (i.e. Width direction of strip 10, and also length direction of original strip 11), and thus in this particular embodiment, the strip 10 is formed by folding the original strip 11 approximately in thirds.

It is not necessary that the strip 10 to be formed by folding strip 11 in this particular manner, and, if desired, by using a strip 11 of sufficient length, the strip 10 can be made with four or more, or even two, folded convoluted layers (not shown). Also, if desired a strip 10 as shown by FIG. 5 can be used. In the strip 10', the section B and C can be of the same or unequal lengths, with the sum of their lengths being less than that of the section A, the bottom layer. In this case, an additional strip D of absorbent material, which can be the same as that of the strip 11, having cotton batting on one side and cellulose fibers on the other, is interposed between sections A and B, and overlapping C, so as to provide an edge 3' substantially similar to the edge 3, and a composite edge 12' substantially similar to the edge 12 as in FIG. 1.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, other folding arrangements and additional layers of absorbent material (not shown) can be added to modify the basic strips 10 and 10' shown by way of example herein.

Referring back to FIG. 1 and to FIG. 2, the edge 3 forms the withdrawal end 15 of the finished tampon 7 of FIG. 4, and the edge 12 forms the insertion end 16 of said tampon 7.

As shown by FIG. 2, the strip 10 is folded over its length preparatory to rolling from the crease 17 to produce the approximately cylindrical semi-finished tampon 6 of FIG. 3. In the rolling of the semi-finished tampon 6, it has been found advantageous to place the folding crease .17 so that the upper fold 18 is about one-third of the length of the strip 10, rather than to place it in the middle thereof. With this particular location of the crease 17, the upper fold 18 and lower fold 19 are not completely overlapped, and results in a semi-finished tampon 6 having a more rounded cylindrical shape, thus assuring that the finished tampon 7 will have a region of maximum firmness that coincides with its longitudinal axis.

By folding the strip 11 so as to produce the intermediate strip 10 as shown in FIG. 1, the withdrawal end 15 of the finished tampon 7 will be covered with cotton batting, and the insertion end 16 will have a relatively open inner core of exposed cellulose by reason of the arrangement of edge 13, and an outer core which is rounded and covered with cotton batting, by reason of the arrangement of edge 5. This particular arrangement of the edges 3, 5, and 13 is advantageous in that it prevents the formation of fluff when the tampon 7 is inserted into the user, and yet provides an open central portion at the insertion end 16 so that a rapid absorption of menstrual fluid is assured.

Also, the arrangement of the folded edge 3 provides a pocket-like arrangement of cotton batting fibers in the tampon 7, thereby increasing its fluid retaining ability.

The plurality of radially disposed layers of absorbent material in the tampon 7, which are provided by the rolled strip 10, assures not only a high absorbency, but also a greater expansibility, thereby aiding in the secure closure of the users vaginal cavity and promoting a correspondingly increased sense of security on the part of the user.

In rolling the folded strip 10 of FIG. 2 to form the cylindrical semi-finished tampon 6 of FIG. 3, it has been found advantageous to use a forked winding mandrel which engages the crease 17.

After winding, as aforesaid, the semi-finished tampon 6 is shaped by radially inward compression in a press (not shown) to produce a finished tampon 7 having a form as shown in FIG. 4.

It has been found particularly advantageous if, in the folding of the original strip 11, to form the intermediate strip 10, the fibers of the cellulose layer 2 are oriented in the X direction, so that in the finished tampon 7 said fibers are disposed transversely with respect to its longitudinal axis.

In the embodiments heretofore shown and described, some, if not all, of the cellulose layers 2 can be of varying lengths but of course no wider than the width of the lengthwise folded strip of FIG. 2. This can also be the case, furthermore, with those layers of cotton batting and/ or cellulose layers placed thereon which, as in FIG. 5 or in variations thereof, are additionally placed on the first folded-in lateral section B and/ or, if desired, also on the second folded-in lateral section C of the strip 10 or 111. If, however, the size of the original strip 11 from which the cellulose layers and cotton layers are made is wider than the length of the tampon 7, it is expedient for the lateral sections B and C of said strip 11 to be made only slightly narrower than the width of the center section A so as to achieve a greater firmness over the entire length of the tam-p on 7 and make use of the greatest possible volume thereof for the absorption of menstrual fluid.

What is claimed is:

1. A tampon for use in feminine hygiene, which comprises a rectangular strip having a base layer of cotton batting and at least one layer of cellulose fibers disposed thereupon, said rectangular strip being successively folded upon itself to form an intermediate rectangular strip having a plurality of convoluted layers with the cotton batting on the exterior, said intermediate strip having a width defined by the distance between its opposite folds, said width being approximately equal to the length of the finished tampon, said inter-mediate strip being folded lengthwise and rolled to form an approximately cylindrical tampon having a withdrawal end at which the cellulose fibers are completely covered by cotton batting, and an insertion end with a core of cellulose fibers exposed.

2. The tampon according to claim 1 wherein the intermediate rectangular strip has three fold layers, of approximately equal width and the tampon density is increased by radially inward compression so as to provide a finished tampon of predetermined firmness and absorption characteristics.

3. The tampon according to claim 1 wherein the cellulose fibers are oriented in a direction approximately parallel to that in which the inter-mediate rectangular strip is rolled.

4. In combination with the tampon according to claim 1, a withdrawal string connected thereto so as to be accessible from the withdrawal end of said tampon.

5. The tampon according to claim 2 wherein the intermediate strip is folded lengthwise such that the upper overlapping portion has a length approximately equal to one-third of the length of said intermediate strip, and the intermediate strip is rolled so that said upper overlapping portion is on the interior of the tampon.v

6. The tampon according to claim 2 including an additional layer of absorbent material disposed between the fold layers of the intermediate strip.

7. The tampon according to claim 2 wherein the three fold layers of the intermediate rectangular strip are a center section, and a pair of opposite end sections adjacent thereto of an original rectangular strip, said center section being the bottom fold layer, with one of the end sections being folded so as to overlap the center section and the opposite end section being folded so as to overlap said folded end section.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,815,756 12/1957 Graham 128285 3,051,177 8/ 1962 Wilson l28285 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,007,643 5/ 1952 France.

490,024 8/ 1938 Great Britain. 606,527 8/ 1948 Great Britain.

RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

CHARLES F. ROSENBAUM, Examiner. 

1. A TAMPON FOR USE IN FEMININE HYGIENE, WHICH COMPRISES A RECTANGULAR STRIP HAVING A BASE LAYER OF COTTON BATTING AND AT LEAST ONE LAYER OF CELLULOSE FIBERS DISPOSED THEREUPON, SAID RECTANGULAR STRIP BEING SUCCESSIVELY FOLDED UPON ITSELF TO FORM AN INTERMEDIATE RECTANGULAR STRIP HAVING A PLURALITY OF CONVOLUTED LAYERS WITH THE COTTON BATTING ON THE EXTERIOR, SAID INTERMEDIATE STRIP HAVING A WIDTH DEFINED BY THE DISTANCE BETWEEN ITS OPPOSITE FOLDS, SAID WIDTH BEING APPROXIMATELY EQUAL TO THE LENGTH OF THE FINISHED TAMPON, SAID INTERMEDIATE STRIP BEING FOLDED LENGTHWISE AND ROLLED TO FORM AN APROXIMATELY CYLINDRICAL TAMPON HAVING A WITHDRAWAL END AT WHICH THE CELLULOSE FIBERS ARE COMPLETELY COVERED BY COTTON BATTING, AND AN INSERTION END WITH A CORE OF CELLULOSE FIBERS EXPOSED. 